88th Annual Academy Awards Winners List

The 88th Annual  Academy Awards, hosted by Chris Rock, were held last night at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. The show as produced by Reginald Hudlin and David Hill.

Following is a complete list of winners:

Best Picture

Spotlight
Michael Sugar, Steve Golin, Nicole Rocklin and Blye Pagon Faust, Producers

Best Actor

Leonardo DiCaprio, The Revenant

Best Actress

Brie Larson, Room

Best Directing

Alejandro G. Iñárritu, The Revenant

Best Original Song

“Writing’s On The Wall” from Spectre
Music and Lyric by Jimmy Napes and Sam Smith

Best Original Score

The Hateful Eight
Ennio Morricone

Best Foreign Language Film

Son of Saul (Hungary)

Best Live Action Short Film
Stutterer
Benjamin Cleary and Serena Armtiage

Best Documentary Feature
Amy
Asif Kapadia and James Gay-Rees

Best Documentary Short Subject

A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness
Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy

Best Supporting Actor

Mark Rylance, Bridge of Spies

Best Animated Feature Film

Inside Out
Pete Docter and Jonas Rivera

Best Animated Short Film

Bear Story
Gabriel Osorio and Pato Escala

Best Visual Effects

Ex Machina
Andrew Whitehurst, Paul Norris, Mark Ardington and Sara Bennett

Best Sound Mixing

Mad Max: Fury Road
Chris Jenkins, Gregg Rudloff and Ben Osmo

Best Sound Editing

Mad Max: Fury Road
Mark Mangini and David White

Best Film Editing

Mad Max: Fury Road
Margaret Sixel

Best Cinematography

The Revenant
Emmanuel Lubezki

Best Makeup and Hairstyling

Mad Max: Fury Road
Lesley Vanderwalt, Elka Wardega and Damian Martin

Best Production Design

Mad Max: Fury Road
Production Design: Colin Gibson; Set Decoration: Lisa Thompson

Best Costume Design

Mad Max: Fury Road
Jenny Beavan

Best Supporting Actress

Alicia Vikander, The Danish Girl

Adapted Screenplay

The Big Short
Screenplay by Charles Randolph and Adam McKay

Best Original Screenplay

Spotlight
Written by Josh Singer & Tom McCarthy

Keyboardist Mark Etheredge Gets 'Connected'

Although it took years for keyboardist Mark Etheredge to work through the feelings of isolation and identity issues that inspired the 10 songs he wrote on his third album, Connected, it took radio programmers no time at all to add the title cut to playlists, swiftly propelling it into the No. 1 spot on this week’s RadioWave chart and No. 11 on the Billboard singles tally. The collection produced by two-time GRAMMY® winner Paul Brown was released by Vipaka Records on Friday. Etheredge will celebrate the occasion on Sunday (February 28) with a live performance at contemporary jazz hot spot Spaghettini south of Los Angeles. A second album launch concert is scheduled for March 19, at Angelicas in the Bay Area near Etheredge’s hometown. 

Etheredge is clearly in a happy place as evidenced by the plethora of joyous melodies he nimbly deploys throughout the Connected album. While tension is apparent on Lost In The Shuffle, the song that specifically addresses when he was plagued by bullying as a teenager, the notes and harmonies he utilizes to tell his story go from emotional and vulnerable to empowering and triumphant as his piano and keyboards fend off truculent taunts from Brown’s electric guitar and Greg Vail’s saxophone. With Brown helming the production, the record is plush and polished, augmented by a horn section and the presence of top-notch session players and soloists, including guitarist Chuck Loeb (Fourplay), saxophonist Andy Suzuki and trumpeter/horn arranger Lee Thornburg.         

Saxman Darren Rahn Hits With A 'Sonic Boom'

DENVER (24 February 2016): Whether it’s with a devastating jazz-funk workout, nasty R&B groove, bellowing gospel soul call or an emotionally-intense melody, saxman Darren Rahn is hitting and hitting hard on “Sonic Boom,” his fifth album and first for Woodward Avenue Records, which is releasing the recording March 4. Responsible for crafting 25 No. 1 singles, Rahn, who produced and wrote all nine originals on the ten tracker, is virtually guaranteed to add to that total with the combustible new set on which he trades blows with chart-toppers Rick Braun, Jonathan Fritzen and Julian Vaughn as well as Rico Wint (vocals) and Robin Eubanks (trombone). The multiple GRAMMY® nominee’s new offering is already off to a powerful start with radio programmers making the lush, horn-ignited “D-Luxe” the No. 1 most-added single on the Billboard BDS chart.           

Undaunted by his successes as a solo artist as well as a producer, songwriter and engineer behind some of the biggest instrumental hits by marquee artists over the past decade, Rahn changed his approach on “Sonic Boom” in an effort to elevate his sound, technique and unique artistic expression.  On previous releases, he orated through tenor, alto and soprano saxophones, but elected to play tenor exclusively on the forthcoming album to define a singular voice. The record plays and is paced like a live show with each song having a cold ending as opposed to a studio fade. Rahn’s production sounds live and warm, aided in part by his decision to use only real drums, another first. His melody-rich material comes straight from the heart sounding grand and luminous, packing a wallop with potent hooks that are passionately performed. The outing also serves as a showcase for Rahn’s proficiency as a multi-instrumentalist - the sax player also plays piano, keyboards, Hammond organ, vocals, EWI and synth programming on “Sonic Boom.” He makes it a family affair by inviting his brother, Jason Rahn, to play trumpet, flugelhorn and guitar and coaxes his wife, Priscilla, to play flute on the lone cover, a rapturous “Rock With You.” Guitarist Allen Hinds and bassist Mel Brown maintain constant presences on the disc while several drummers (Anthony Steele, Tarell Martin and Anthony Jones) pound out the beats. Vaughn fills in admirably for the late bassist Wayman Tisdale on “Losing You,” a moving musical tribute penned by Rahn for his frequent collaborator and departed friend.         

“The idea behind ‘Sonic Boom’ is about real music - inspired music - created with real musicians playing real instruments and presented in a way that plays much like a live set. I wanted to condense my personality down to the very core to concisely express the essence of who I am as an artist. Drawing from the assorted musical styles that form my musical personality and saxophone playing - jazz, funk, R&B, soul, pop, rock, gospel and fusion - I wanted ‘Sonic Boom’ to reflect the diversity of my musical influences and history while at the same time flowing and working as a cohesive collection. In an era when music is often created by taking shortcuts, it was my desire to use the finest analog and digital studio equipment and state-of-the-art techniques while gathering as many of the best studio session players as possible. I wanted to create something that would provide the listener with a truly amazing listening experience, sounding full, warm, punchy, luxurious and exciting. My hope is that people will genuinely be impacted by the music, that it will bring joy and encouragement,” said Rahn about “Sonic Boom,” which will premiere in its entirety on Saturday, February 27 at 10am PT/1pm ET on the SmoothJazz.com site. 

The British Columbia native who calls Denver home issued his solo debut, “Soulful,” in 2004. That same year, Rahn produced Tisdale’s No. 1 signature smash “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now.” He hit full stride as an artist and producer in 2009 when his “Talk of the Town” reigned supreme at No. 1 on the Billboard chart at about the same time he produced No. 1 hits for Dave Koz, Eric Darius and Tim Bowman. During one particular period of chart domination, he occupied the top three spots and later had four singles in the top 10 simultaneously. Rahn earned GRAMMY® nominations for his work on a pair of Koz albums (“Hello Tomorrow” and “Summer Horns”). His meticulously-constructed sonicscapes have made his deft touch highly sought after, affording him the opportunity to work with Bob James, Kirk Whalum, Norman Brown, Jonathan Butler, Najee, Toby Keith, Jeffrey Osborne, Phil Perry, Nick Colionne and Lebron as well as Fritzen and Vaughn. For more information, please visit www.DarrenRahn.com or www.WoodwardAvenueRecords.com.       

The songs contained on “Sonic Boom” are:

“D-Luxe”

“Sonic Boom”

“Funk Avenue”

“Losing You” (For Wayman)

“Together…Forever…”

“Altered Ego”

“101 One”

“Rock With You”

“Sunday Soul”

“Promises” (For Priscilla) 

'Triple 9' Drama Set To Open February 26

SYNOPSIS: A crew of dirty cops is blackmailed by the Russian mob to execute a virtually impossible heist. The only way to pull it off is to manufacture a 999, police code for "officer down". Their plan is turned upside down when the unsuspecting rookie they set up to die foils the attack, triggering a breakneck, action-packed finale filled with double-crosses, greed and revenge.

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Casting Set For Suzan-Lori Parks' Play At Taper

Suzan-Lori Parks

Center Theatre Group has announced casting for the West Coast premiere of Suzan-Lori Parks’ “Father Comes Home From the Wars (Parts 1, 2 & 3)” which begins previews April 5, opens April 17 and continues through May 15, 2016, at the Mark Taper Forum.

Directed by Jo Bonney, the production features, in alphabetical order, Steven Bargonetti (“Father Comes Home…,” Public Theater; “Hair,” Broadway), Sterling K. Brown (“Father Comes Home…,” Public Theater; “The People v. O.J. Simpson,” FX), Russell G. Jones (“Father Comes Home…,” Public Theater; “Ruined,” Manhattan Theatre Company, Obie Award), Sameerah Luqmaan-Harris (“The Emperor Jones,” Irish Repertory Theatre; “Advantageous,” Sundance Special Jury Award), Michael McKean (“Better Call Saul,” AMC; “This is Spinal Tap;” “Harps and Angels,” Mark Taper Forum), Patrena Murray (“Father Comes Home…,” ART; “Julius Caesar,” Irondale Center), Tonye Patano (“Father Comes Home…,” Public Theater; “Weeds,” Showtime), Larry Powell (“The Christians,” Mark Taper Forum; “The Mountaintop,” Actors Theatre of Louisville), Roger Robinson (“Joe Turner’s Come and Gone,” Tony Award; “Seven Guitars,” Tony nomination), Julian Rozzell Jr. (“Father Comes Home…,” Public Theater; “Boardwalk Empire,” HBO) and Josh Wingate (“Justified,” FX; “General Hospital”).

Trombone Shorty To Play At Governors Ball

LOS ANGELES, CA – Renowned musician and Grammy^® Award nominee Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews, with his band Orleans Avenue, is set to perform at the Governors Ball, the Academy’s official post-Oscars^® celebration, on Sunday, February 28.  The group will entertain the Ball’s 1,500 guests, which will include Oscar^® winners and nominees, show presenters and performers, and other luminaries.

Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue is a hard-edged funk band that employs hip-hop beats, rock dynamics and improvisation in a jazz tradition.  In January Trombone Shorty was named to Forbes magazine’s “30 Under 30” 2016 music talents list.  Last year he performed with Queen Latifah, Usher and other artists at The White House, supported the Foo Fighters on its European tour, and in his feature film debut, created the iconic sound of the adult character voices in “The Peanuts Movie.”  He is one of several creative professionals participating in President Obama’s Turnaround Arts initiative, which helps struggling elementary and middle schools improve academic performance through rigorous, integrated arts programs.  Trombone Shorty received a 2010 Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Jazz Album for “Backatown.” 

The evening also will feature husband-and-wife deejays DJ M.O.S. and DJ Kiss showcasing an eclectic mix of musical genres.

The Governors Ball will be held in the Ray Dolby Ballroom on the top level of the Hollywood & Highland Center^®.

The 88th Oscars will be held on Sunday, February 28, at the Dolby Theatre^® at Hollywood & Highland Center in Hollywood, and will be televised live by the ABC Television Network at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.  The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.

'Birth Of A Nation' To Hit Theaters October 7

Directed by:

Nate Parker

Screenplay by:

Nate Parker

Produced by:

Nate Parker, Kevin Turen, Jason Michael Berman, Aaron L. Gilbert, Preston L. Holmes

Cast:

Nate Parker, Armie Hammer, Penelope Ann Miller, Jackie Earle Haley, Mark Boone Jr., Colman Domingo, Aunjanue Ellis, Dwight Henry, Aja Naomi King, Esther Scott, Roger Guenveur Smith, Gabrielle Union

Set against the antebellum South, THE BIRTH OF A NATION follows Nat Turner (Nate Parker), a literate slave and preacher, whose financially strained owner, Samuel Turner (Armie Hammer), accepts an offer to use Nat’s preaching to subdue unruly slaves. As he witnesses countless atrocities - against himself and his fellow slaves - Nat orchestrates an uprising in the hopes of leading his people to freedom.

THE BIRTH OF A NATION opens nationwide FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2016

Celebs Galore At Doris Bergman's Oscar Party

By Darlene Donloe

The forecast called for rain, but by the time Doris Bergman’s Valentine Romance Oscar® Style Lounge and Party was in full swing at Fig & Olive in West Hollywood - to honor the upcoming 88^th Annual Academy Awards, there was nothing but blue skies and stars.  No, not the stars that twinkle in the sky. It was the kind that twinkle on the red carpet.

One star after another glided through the doors in celebration of the Oscars® and to partake of the great gifts, great food, great drinks and great fellowship. Many contributed to the Wednesday’s Child charity.

ERNIE HUDSON

Everywhere you looked, there were celebrities. At one end of the room was actor Ernie Hudson checking out NuBra, while Lou Ferrigno tried on a coat by Samiah, Renee Taylor and hubby Joe Bologna chatted up vendor Marisa Marshall about her My Saints, My Hero faith-based bracelets and Keesha Sharp (The People vs. O.J. Simpson) looked at some sexy lingerie.

KEESHA SHARP

LOU FERRIGNO

RENEE TAYLOR AND JOE BOLOGNA

This annual celebration, considered one of the hottest tickets in town, is an invitation-only event.   This year it was hosted by The Auto Gallery and presented by Maserati and The Center For Aesthetic Dentistry.

The soiree featured an array of fashion for him and her including couture gowns, tuxedos & suits, the finest in beauty, skin & hair care, jewelry collections, accessories, sexy lingerie, various fragrances, fashion-forward footwear, chic chapeaus, gourmet cuisine, unique spirits, delectable sweets, the Maserati Ghibili, and an advanced McLaren 570S Coupe!

MASERATI GHIBLI

Taking part in the festivities were Oscar® nominees Brionne Davis (Embrace of the Serpent Best Foreign Film) and Cas Anvar (Room Best Picture), Director Evgeny Afineevsky (Winter On Fire Best Documentary), Vanessa Cloke (Spotlight Best Picture), joined George Chakiris (former Oscar winner West Side Story), former Oscar nominees Sally Kirkland, Renee Taylor & Joe Bologna, former Golden Globe nominee Evan Brinkman (Trainwreck), former Golden Globe & Grammy nominee & Frank Stallone (Stayin’ Alive), TV Legal Analyst Areva Martin, multiple Emmy winners Doris Roberts & Marilu Henner, Maria Conchita Alonso, Naomi Grossman (American Horror Story), Robin Givens, Eva La Rue, John Savage, Steven Bauer (Ray Donovan), Judy Tenuta, Kelsey Scott (12 Years A Slave), Adina Porter, Angela Gots (Madam Secretary), Damian Whitewood (Dancing With The Stars), Keesha Sharp (The People vs. O.J. Simpson), Corey Feldman (The Lost Boys), & Robert Carradine, to name a few, were among the cadre of celebrities and industry VIPS in attendance.

DEBRA MITCHELL of TWISTED SILVER

EVA LARUE

ERNIE HUDSON

(l-r) KELSEY SCOTT with Dr. KATHERINE AHN of 

CENTER FOR AESTHETIC DENTISTRY

(r) ART LEWIN Bespoke Executive Clothiers

PATRIKA DARBO

ARBONNE

MEGAN WILLIAMS of FIT FOR A BELLE YOGA WEAR

MY SAINT MY HERO

2 MINUTE CLUB

In the spirit of giving back, guests & sponsors donated unwrapped gifts for young adults (ages 13-18) for a Post-Holiday Gift Drive benefitting Wednesday’s Child -- a weekly segment airing on KTTV FOX 11 News, Los Angeles, with Anchor Christine Devine. Wednesday’s Child highlights ‘harder to place’ children in the LA County foster care system who are in need of adoptive families.

“In Los Angeles County, alone, there are over 35,000 children receiving child welfare services,” says social worker, Professor William Wong.  

Bergman invites 2 foster children to join in on the festivities and experience what it feels like to be treated as a VIP.  http://www.foxla.com/wednesdays-child

Gifts and services were provided by: 2-Minute Club, NuBra, Personal Touch, The Auto Gallery, Maserati Ghibli, McLaren, The Center For Aesthetic Dentistry, Arbonne, Samiah Fine Clothing, Telic Footwear, Yoga Guru Mahankirn & Three-Minute Start, Fit For A Belle Yoga Wear, My Saint, My Hero, Twisted Silver, Spongelle, Josh Cellars Wine,  Azul Imperial Tequila, Rekorderlig Cider, Hint Water, Couture Gowns & Fragrance by Sue Wong, Art Lewin Bespoke Executive Clothiers, Rocker Laura Wilde & Ascend Cleanse,  Kaya Di Koko, Single Dress, Single Underwear for Men, Faux Pas Women’s Wear, Di Snapback Chapeaus, Masterpan, Veved Ice Vodka,  Blue Can Water, Clif Bar, Luna Bar, author Debbi DiMaggio (The Art of Real Estate), Cultures For Health, Basics Wallets and VIP Gift Bags provided by MD Sun Skin Care.

ALMA PELAYO of AZUL IMPERIAL TEQUILA

REKORDERLIG CIDER

PERSONAL TOUCH

NUBRA

SPONGELLE

Author DEBBI DIMAGGIO -The Art of Real Estate

Taking part in the festivities were Oscar nominees Brionne Davis (Embrace of the Serpent Best Foreign Film) and Cas Anvar (Room Best Picture), Director Evgeny Afineevsky (Winter On Fire Best Documentary), Vanessa Cloke (Spotlight Best Picture), joined George Chakiris (former Oscar winner West Side Story), former Oscar nominees Sally Kirkland, Renee Taylor & Joe Bologna, former Golden Globe nominee Evan Brinkman (Trainwreck), former Golden Globe & Grammy nominee & Frank Stallone (Stayin’ Alive), TV Legal Analyst Areva Martin, multiple Emmy winners Doris Roberts & Marilu Henner, Maria Conchita Alonso, Naomi Grossman (American Horror Story), Robin Givens, Eva La Rue, Ernie Hudson, John Savage, Steven Bauer (Ray Donovan), Judy Tenuta, Kelsey Scott (12 Years A Slave), Adina Porter, Lou Ferrigno, Angela Gots (Madam Secretary), Damian Whitewood (Dancing With The Stars), Keesha Sharp (The People vs. O.J. Simpson), Corey Feldman (The Lost Boys), & Robert Carradine, to name a few, were among the cadre of celebrities and industry VIPS in attendance.

JAZZMIN (Wednesday's Child) and CHRISTINE DEVINE (Anchor Fox 11 News)

In the spirit of giving back, guests & sponsors donated unwrapped gifts for young adults (ages 13-18) for a Post-Holiday Gift Drive benefitting ‘Wednesday’s Child’ -- a weekly segment airing on KTTV FOX 11 News, Los Angeles, with Anchor Christine Devine. ‘Wednesday’s Child’ highlights ‘harder to place’ children in the LA County foster care system who are in need of adoptive families.

“In Los Angeles County, alone, there are over 35,000 children receiving child welfare services,” says social worker, Professor William Wong.  

DORIS BERGMAN

Bergman invites 2 foster children to join in on the festivities and experience what it feels like to be treated as a VIP.  http://www.foxla.com/wednesdays-child

Gifts and services were provided by 2-Minute Club, NuBra, Personal Touch, The Auto Gallery, Maserati Ghibli, McLaren, The Center For Aesthetic Dentistry, Arbonne, Samiah Fine Clothing, Telic Footwear, Yoga Guru Mahankirn & Three-Minute Start, Fit For A Belle Yoga Wear, My Saint, My Hero, Twisted Silver, Spongelle, Josh Cellars Wine,  Azul Imperial Tequila, Rekorderlig Cider, Hint Water, Couture Gowns & Fragrance by Sue Wong, Art Lewin Bespoke Executive Clothiers, Rocker Laura Wilde & Ascend Cleanse,  Kaya Di Koko, Single Dress, Single Underwear for Men, Faux Pas Women’s Wear, Di Snapback Chapeaus, Masterpan, Veved Ice Vodka,  Blue Can Water, Clif Bar, Luna Bar, author Debbi DiMaggio (The Art of Real Estate), Cultures For Health, Basics Wallets and VIP Gift Bags provided by MD Sun Skin Care.

Stellar Awards To Premiere on TV One March 6

Yolanda Adams, Donnie McClurkin, Karen Clark Sheard and 

Marvin Sapp Collaborate in Star-Studded Performance

  

LAS VEGAS - FEB. 19, 2016 - Iyanla Vanzant, Wendy Raquel Robinson, LeToya Luckett, Jason Nelson, Jonathan McReynolds, Hezekiah Walker, Dorinda Clarke Cole, Alexis Spight, Briana Babineaux, Maurette Brown Clark, T.C. Stallings and Tim Bowman, Jr. are among the artists added to the talent line-up at the31^st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards this Saturday, Feb. 20, at the Las Vegas Orleans Arena.  

 

Produced by Central City Productions, the live-to-tape awards show honoring the best of music's artists, writers and industry professionals, will present rousing and spirit-filled performances, including an all-star collaboration featuring Yolanda Adams, Donnie McClurkin, Karen Clark Sheard and Marvin Sapp.  Hosted by comedian, and syndicated radio and TV personality Rickey Smiley (Dish Nation, Rickey Smiley For Real) and actress and TV personality Sherri Shepherd (Ride Along 2, The View), the 31st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards - the biggest night in Gospel Music - will premiere onTV One on Sunday, March 6 at 6 p.m. ET (encores at 8 p.m. & 10 p.m. ET) and in syndication on 150 stations in over 125 markets throughout the country from March 12-April 10.

 

During the show, Stellar Gospel Music Awards Founder Don Jackson and multiple nominee Erica Campbell will bestow the Stellar Honors, a special award, upon living legends Tramaine Hawkins, Yolanda Adams, Marvin Sapp andcomedian/actor Jonathan Slocumb. The Allstate James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented by Pastor Shirley Caesar, posthumously to Grammy Award-winner O'landa Draper with riveting tribute performances by Donald Lawrence, Hezekiah Walker and Ricky Dillard.  Joe Ligon, founder and lead vocalist of the Mighty Clouds of Joy, will also receive the Chevrolet Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones Legends Award presented by Dr. Bobby Jones himself.

 

Anthony Brown & Group Therapy, Brian Courtney Wilson, Tasha Cobbs, Casey J, Charles Jenkins & Fellowship Chicago, Hezekiah Walker, Kirk Franklin, Travis Greene and William McDowell will also provide inspirational performances throughout the evening.

 

The top nominees for the 2016 Stellar Gospel Music Awards, which were announced earlier this year, are Anthony Brown & Group Therapy (10); Charles Jenkins & Fellowship Chicago (8); Erica Campbell (8); Tasha Cobbs (6); Richard Smallwood (5); Israel & New Breed (4); Jonathan McReynolds (4); Casey J (3); Tina Campbell (3); Dorinda Clarke Cole (3); and The Rance Allen Group (3). For a complete list of this year's nominees, please visitwww.thestellarawards.com.

 

The taping of the 31^st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards on Saturday, Feb. 20, is open to the public. Ticket prices range from $50-$200 at www.orleansarena.com. The Stellar Gospel Music Awards Pre-Show will occur the day before on Friday, Feb. 19, to celebrate non-televised awards winners, and the Stellar Gospel Radio Awards & Showcase, honoring top radio stations and announcers serving urban gospel music audiences, will follow on Saturday, Feb. 20. Tickets for each of these events are $35. Additional information and updates are available by following the Stellar Awards on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 

 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/StellarAwards

Twitter: www.twitter.com/thestellars

Instagram: www.instagram.com/thestellars